Industry News

News • May 3, 2018

CAD/CAM software helps tool and die maker expand into 3D machining

After 9 years as a plant manager for a tool and die maker, Jason Cantrell decided to launch his own tool and die business. In 2011, he established Triple C Machine & Fab, Livingston, Tenn. Cantrell's vision for business ownership has since paid off. What started as a small job shop has expanded into a thriving company.

News • May 2, 2018 • Alan Richter

Reader from down under responds to blog about AR headsets

Bob Hudson of New South Whales, Australia, responded to my April 11 blog titled "Assisting manufacturers with augmented reality."

News • May 1, 2018

Machine shop math: Common formulas, strategies

One of the more common problems I have seen in my years in the machine shop is a general lack of readily available and handy information on machine shop math, specifically on feeds, speeds and related formulae, writes Kevin Mulhern. "Whether you are programming a 5-axis CNC machine or turning handles on a 60-year-old knee mill, the numbers don't lie. However, one very important lesson I have learned is to respect the variables."

News • May 1, 2018

Bye, robot? Bringing back human workers bucks manufacturing trends

Lately, a very different trend has begun to manifest itself: Manufacturers have started replacing robots with humans. This is not driven by nostalgia or from a desire to provide more manufacturing jobs. It is simple, practical self-interest on the part of manufacturers.

News • April 30, 2018

Sandvik to buy French software firm Metrologic

Swedish engineering group Sandvik will buy French software company Metrologic Group for 360 million euros ($435 million) on a cash and debt-free basis to boost its digital manufacturing capabilities. Metrologic Group's software includes automation and robotics control, as well as services for calibration and 3D measuring. It is used in the automotive, aerospace, energy and general engineering sectors, among others.

News • April 30, 2018 • Greg Bartlett

Improving shop websites for hiring—a reader responds

My Jan. 29 blog post, "Simple steps improve shop websites for hiring," received an insightful reply from Gerry Anger, president of Granger Sales Inc.

News • April 30, 2018 • Kip Hanson

Mumbling Mike and his quoting software

I once worked in the cubicle next to Mike, the shop's estimating guy. He sat there all day using an electronic pen to trace the outlines of parts on paper drawings. He painstakingly determined the length of each journal, the depth of each hole and the number of cubic inches contained in each milled pocket before feeding that information into the company's estimating software. That's all Mike did.

News • April 26, 2018

Morris Midwest LLC to have grand opening, technology show

Celebrate the grand opening May 2 and 3 of Morris Midwest LLC's office and tech center at 2323 Corporate Drive in Waukesha, Wis. See live cutting demonstrations on CNC machines from leading builders integrated with tooling, accessories, software, automation and more. Discuss manufacturing challenges with Morris Midwest's productivity specialists, application engineers and technology partners. Learn about best practices and the latest advances in manufacturing. Network with industry leaders and peers. Enjoy a free, hot lunch; snacks; coffee; and other refreshments.

News • April 25, 2018 • Alan Richter

Exhibiting at IMTS 2018?

If you're an exhibitor planning to showcase a product or service at IMTS 2018, please click here to send a press release and image of the product or service to Cutting Tool Engineering Editor Alan Richter.

News • April 23, 2018 • Kip Hanson

Alexa, what’s manufacturing?

There's a new woman in my life, and my wife is jealous. Really? I admit that I've been a little preoccupied lately with automating my house, but to say that I talk to Alexa more than the mother of my children is unfair. No, it's not obsessive behavior; it's an experiment in what's possible.

News • April 19, 2018

Staffing firm outsourcing is eroding manufacturing’s pay advantage

One benefit of expanding manufacturing employment is that workers are paid a premium. However, there is less of a pay advantage in manufacturing than there used to be. This suggests that policies to expand manufacturing employment should be accompanied by policies that maintain or strengthen compensation standards.

News • April 19, 2018

US cutting tool consumption up in February

February U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $190.12 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and the Association for Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was up 3.5 percent from January's $183.61 million and 8.7 percent when compared with the $174.98 million reported for February 2017. With a year-to-date total of $373.73 million, 2018 is up 7.4 percent when compared with 2017.